Systems and methods for selective fertilizer placement

ABSTRACT

Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/551,291, filed Aug. 26, 2019, the contentof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present description relates to agricultural machines. Morespecifically, the present description relates to controlling applicationof material to a field, using an agricultural machine.

BACKGROUND

There is a wide variety of different types of agricultural machines thatapply material to an agricultural field. Some such agricultural machinesinclude sprayers, tillage machines with side dressing bars, air seeders,and planters that have row units.

As one example, a row unit is often mounted to a planter with aplurality other row units. The planter is often towed by a tractor oversoil where seed is planted in the soil, using the row units. The rowunits on the planter follow the ground profile by using a combination ofa down force assembly that imparts a down force to the row unit to pushdisk openers into the ground and gauge wheels to set depth ofpenetration of the disk openers.

Row units can also be used to apply material to the field (e.g.,fertilizer to the soil, to a seed, etc.) over which they are traveling.In some scenarios, each row unit has a valve that is coupled between asource of material to be applied, and an application assembly. As thevalve is actuated, the material passes through the valve, from thesource to the application assembly, and is applied to the field.

Many current systems apply the material in a substantially continuousway. For instance, where the application machine is applying a liquidfertilizer, it actuates the valve to apply a substantially continuousstrip of the liquid fertilizer. The same is true of materials thatprovide other liquid substances, or granular substances, as examples.

The discussion above is merely provided for general backgroundinformation and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining thescope of the claimed subject matter. SUMMARY

Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-basedprocessing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to thefield, based upon the seed locations.

Example 1 is a planting machine, comprising:

a furrow opener that opens a furrow as the planting machine moves acrossa field;

a seed delivery system that delivers seeds to seed locations in thefurrow;

a device that is actuated to apply a material to the field;

a device actuation timing system that generates a device actuationtiming indicator indicative of a timing for actuating the device toapply the material at material placement locations relative to the seedlocations; and

a device control signal generator that receives the device actuationtiming indicator and generates a device actuation signal based on thedevice actuation timing indicator to control the device to apply thematerial to the field.

Example 2 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the device actuation timing system comprises:

a frequency driven processing system configured to generate an a prioriseed pattern indicative of a relative placement of seeds in the field,relative to a reference point.

Example 3 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the reference point comprises a location of a known plantingoperation, and wherein the frequency driven processing system comprises:

a planting operation start detector configured to detect when theplanting machine is at the location of the known planting operation andto generate a planting operation reference signal indicative of thereference point.

Example 4 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the frequency driven processing system comprises:

time to actuation calculator logic configured to generate the deviceactuation timing indicator based on the a priori seed pattern and theplanting operation reference signal.

Example 5 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the frequency driven processing system comprises:

a seed pattern verification system configured to intermittently verifythat the a priori seed pattern is accurate based on a detected actualseed pattern.

Example 6 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the seed pattern verification system comprises:

an actual seed pattern detection system configured to detect an actualseed pattern;

a pattern correction value identifier configured to identify a patterncorrection value based on the a priori seed pattern and the actual seedpattern; and

seed pattern correction logic configured to apply the pattern correctionvalue to the a priori seed pattern to generate a corrected seed pattern.

Example 7 is the planting machine of any or all previous examples andfurther comprising:

a seed sensor configured to detect a seed and generate a seed sensorsignal indicative of the detected seed.

Example 8 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the device actuation timing system comprises:

an event driven processing system configured to generate the deviceactuation timing indicator based on the seed sensor signal.

Example 9 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the seed sensor is located at a seed sensor location on theplanting machine and wherein the event driven processing systemcomprises:

a time stamp generator configured to generate a time stamp correspondingto the seed sensor signal indicating a detected seed.

Example 10 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system comprises:

a system delay generator that generates a seed travel time delay valueindicative of a time delay between the time stamp and a time when thedetected seed will be in a final seed position.

Example 11 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system is configured to generate thedevice actuation timing indicator based on a device position of thedevice on the planting machine and based on the seed travel time delayvalue.

Example 12 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system comprises:

a device time offset generator configured to generate a device timeoffset value indicative of a time delay between generating the deviceactuation signal and a time when the material is applied to the fieldbased on a responsiveness of the device.

Example 13 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system comprises:

a pulse timing generator configured to generate a pulse timing outputindicative of a time when the device control signal generator is togenerate the device control signal to actuate the device to apply thematerial.

Example 14 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system comprises:

a pulse duration generator configured to output a pulse duration signalindicative of a duration for which the device control signal generatoris to generate the device control signal to actuate the device.

Example 15 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the event driven processing system comprises:

a travel distance generation system configured to identify a seed traveldistance and generate an output indicative of when the seed is in thefinal seed location based on the seed travel distance.

Example 16 is the planting machine of any or all previous examples andfurther comprising:

a seed firmer, wherein the seed sensor is mounted to the seed firmer.

Example 17 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the valve is mounted to the seed firmer.

Example 18 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the valve is mounted to the seed delivery system

Example 19 is the planting machine of any or all previous exampleswherein the seed sensor is configured to sense the seed in the furrow.

Example 20 is a method of controlling a planting machine, comprising:

opening a furrow as the planting machine moves across a field;

delivering seeds to seed locations in the furrow;

generating a device actuation timing indicator indicative of a timingfor actuating a device to apply material at material placement locationsrelative to the seed locations; and

generating a device actuation signal based on the device actuationtiming indicator to control the device to apply the material to thefield. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts ina simplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementationsthat solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one example of a planting machine, shown in apartial pictorial and partial schematic form.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing one example of a row unit of the plantingmachine illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2A is a view of an application unit.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing another example of a row unit of theplanting machine illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side view showing another example of a row unit of theplanting machine illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a seed metering system.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a seed delivery system that can be used witha seed metering system.

FIG. 7 shows another example of a delivery system that can be used witha seed metering system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one example of a material applicationcontrol system.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of the operation ofthe material application control system shown in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one example of an event drivenprocessing system.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing example of the operation of eventdriven processing.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing one example of the operation of atravel distance generation system.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing one example of the operation of a timedelay generation system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing one example of a frequency drivenprocessing system.

FIGS. 15A and 15B (collectively referred to herein as FIG. 15 ) show aflow diagram illustrating one example of the operation of the frequencydriven processing system illustrated in FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 shows one example of the architecture illustrated in FIG. 1 ,deployed in a remote server environment.

FIGS. 17-19 show examples of mobile devices that can be used as operatorinterface mechanisms in the architectures shown in the previous Figures.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing one example of a computingenvironment that can be used in the architectures shown in the previousFigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, many current systems apply material to a field in arelatively continuous way. This can result in wasted material. Forinstance, some material that is applied at certain locations betweenseeds or plants in a field may be unnecessary. This can result in lowerproductivity and lower efficiency. This problem can be exacerbated ininstances where the material is applied at a relatively high rate, suchas in the case of high rate fertilizer application.

The present description thus proceeds with respect to a system thatidentifies a specific location, e.g., a seed location, and controllablydispenses or applies material, based upon the seed location (and/orposition) in a field. The system can do this by sensing seeds, as theyare planted in the soil, and then calculating a time when an applicationvalve or actuator, e.g., a pump, should be actuated to apply thematerial, based upon the location of the valve or actuator relative tothe location of the seed. Similarly, an a priori seed map can beobtained indicating where seeds will be planted (e.g., seed locations)and the system controllably dispenses or applies material based on thosea priori locations. The seeds can then be planted later. Further, thesystem can be used to apply the material and generate a material map ofthe locations where it was applied. A seed map can be generated based onthe material map, and seeds can be planted based on that seed map. Otherthings can be considered as well, such as the responsiveness of thevalve or actuator, the material properties of the material beingapplied, etc.

Also, the present description proceeds with respect to the examplesbeing deployed on a row unit of a planter. They could just as easily bedeployed on a sprayer, an air seeder, a tillage machine with aside-dress bar, or other piece of agricultural equipment that is used toapply a material.

FIG. 1 is a partial pictorial, partial schematic top view of one exampleof an architecture 90 that includes agricultural planting machine 100,towing vehicle 94, that is operated by operator 92, and materialapplication control system 113, which can be on one or more individualparts of machine 100, centrally located on machine 100, or on towingvehicle 94. Operator 92 can illustratively interact with operatorinterface mechanisms 96 to manipulate and control vehicle 94, system113, and some or all portions of machine 100.

Machine 100 is a row crop planting machine that illustratively includesa toolbar 102 that is part of a frame 104. FIG. 1 also shows that aplurality of planting row units 106 are mounted to the toolbar 102.Machine 100 can be towed behind towing vehicle 94, such as a tractor.FIG. 1 shows that material can be stored in a tank 107 and pumpedthrough a supply line 111 so the material can be dispensed in or nearthe rows being planted. In one example, a set of devices (e.g.,actuators) 109 is provided to perform this operation. For instance,actuators 109 can be individual pumps that service individual row units106 and that pump material from tank 107 through supply line 111 so itcan be dispensed on the field. In such an example, material applicationcontrol system 113 controls the pumps 109. In another example, actuators109 are valves and one or more pumps 115 pump the material from tank 107to valves 109 through supply line 111. In such an example, materialapplication control system 113 controls valves 109 by generating valveor actuator control signals, e.g., on a per-seed basis, as describedbelow. The control signal for each valve or actuator can, in oneexample, be a pulse width modulated control signal. The flow ratethrough the corresponding valve 109 can be based on the duty cycle ofthe control signal (which controls the amount of time the valve is openand closed). It can be based on multiple duty cycles of multiple valvesor based on other criteria. Further, the material can be applied invarying rates on a per-seed or per-plant basis. For example, fertilizermay be applied at one rate when it is being applied at a location spacedfrom a seed location and at a second, higher, rate when it is beingapplied closer to the seed location. These are examples only.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one example of a row unit 106, with actuator109 and system 113 shown as well. Actuator 109 is shown in five possiblelocations labeled as 109, 109A, 109B, 109C and 109D. Row unit 106illustratively includes a chemical tank 110 and a seed storage tank 112.It also illustratively includes one or more disc openers 114, a set ofgauge wheels 116, and a set of closing wheels 118. Seeds from tank 112are fed into a seed meter 124, e.g., by gravity or from a centralizedcommodity distribution system (e.g., exploiting pneumatic commoditydistribution to each row unit). The seed meter 124 controls the rate atwhich seeds are dropped into a seed tube 120 or other seed deliverysystem, such as a brush belt or flighted belt (shown in FIGS. 6-7 ,respectively), from seed storage tank 112. The seeds can be sensed by aseed sensor 122.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 , liquid material is passed, e.g., pumpedor otherwise forced, through supply line 111 to an inlet end of actuator109. Actuator 109 is controlled by control system 113 to allow theliquid to pass from the inlet end of actuator 109 to an outlet end.

As liquid passes through actuator 109, it travels through an applicationassembly 117 from a proximal end (which is attached to an outlet end ofactuator 109) to a distal tip (or application tip) 119, where the liquidis discharged into a trench, or proximate a trench or furrow 162, openedby disc opener 114 (as is described in more detail below).

Some parts of row unit 106 will now be discussed in more detail. First,it will be noted that there are different types of seed meters 124, andthe one that is shown is shown for the sake of example only and isdescribed in greater detail below. However, in one example, each rowunit 106 need not have its own seed meter. Instead, metering or othersingulation or seed dividing techniques can be performed at a centrallocation, for groups of row units 106. The metering systems can includefinger pick-up discs and/or vacuum meters (e.g., having rotatable discs,rotatable concave or bowl-shaped devices), among others. The seeddelivery system can be a gravity drop system (such as seed tube 120shown in FIG. 2 ) in which seeds are dropped through the seed tube 120and fall (via gravitational force) through the seed tube and out theoutlet end 121 into the seed trench 162. Other types of seed deliverysystems may be or may include assistive systems, in that they do notsimply rely on gravity to move the seed from the metering system intothe ground. Instead, such assistive systems actively assist the seeds inmoving from the meter to a lower opening, where they exit or aredeposited into the ground or trench. These can be systems thatphysically capture the seed and move it from the meter to the outlet endof the seed delivery system or they can be pneumatic systems that pumpair through the seed tube to assist movement of the seed. The airvelocity can be controlled to control the speed at which the seed movesthrough the delivery system. Some examples of assistive systems aredescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7 .

A downforce actuator 126 is mounted on a coupling assembly 128 thatcouples row unit 106 to toolbar 102. Actuator 126 can be a hydraulicactuator, a pneumatic actuator, a spring-based mechanical actuator or awide variety of other actuators. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , a rod130 is coupled to a parallel linkage 132 and is used to exert anadditional downforce (in the direction indicated by arrow 134) on rowunit 106. The total downforce (which includes the force indicated byarrow 134 exerted by actuator 126, plus the force due to gravity actingon row unit 106, and indicated by arrow 136) is offset by upwardlydirected forces acting on closing wheels 118 (from ground 138 andindicated by arrow 140) and disc opener 114 (again from ground 138 andindicated by arrow 142). The remaining force (the sum of the forcevectors indicated by arrows 134 and 136, minus the force indicated byarrows 140 and 142) and the force on any other ground engaging componenton the row unit (not shown), is the differential force indicated byarrow 146. The differential force may also be referred to herein as thedownforce margin. The force indicated by arrow 146 acts on the gaugewheels 116. This load can be sensed by a gauge wheel load sensor, whichmay be located anywhere on row unit 106 where it can sense that load.The gauge wheel load sensor can also be placed where it may not sensethe load directly, but a characteristic indicative of that load. Forexample, it can be disposed near a set of gauge wheel control arms (orgauge wheel arm) 148 that movably mount gauge wheels 116 to shank 152and control an offset between gauge wheels 116 and the discs in doubledisc opener 114, to control planting depth.

Arms (or gauge wheel arms) 148 illustratively abut against a mechanicalstop (or arm contact member-or wedge) 150. The position of mechanicalstop 150 relative to shank 152 can be set by a planting depth actuatorassembly 154. Control arms 148 illustratively pivot around pivot point156 so that, as planting depth actuator assembly 154 actuates to changethe position of mechanical stop 150, the relative position of gaugewheels 116, relative to the double disc opener 114, changes, to changethe depth at which seeds are planted.

In operation, row unit 106 travels generally in the direction indicatedby arrow 160. The double disc opener 114 opens a furrow 162 in the soil138, and the depth of the furrow 162 is set by planting depth actuatorassembly 154, which, itself, controls the offset between the lowestparts of gauge wheels 116 and disc opener 114. Seeds are dropped throughseed tube 120, into the furrow 162 and closing wheels 118 close thefurrow 162, e.g., push soil back into the furrow 162.

As the seeds are dropped through seed tube 120, they can be sensed byseed sensor 122. Some examples of seed sensor 122 are described ingreater detail below. Some examples of seed sensor 122 may include anoptical or reflective sensor, which includes a radiation transmittercomponent and a receiver component. The transmitter component emitselectro-magnetic radiation and the receiver component then detects theradiation and generates a signal indicative of the presence or absenceof a seed adjacent the sensors. In another example, row unit 106 may beprovided with a seed firmer that is positioned to travel through thefurrow 162, after seeds are placed in furrow 162, to firm the seeds inplace. A seed sensor can be placed on the seed firmer and generate asensor signal indicative of a seed. Again, some examples of seed sensorsare described in greater detail below.

The present description proceeds with respect to the seed sensor beinglocated to sense a seed passing it in seed tube 120, but this is for thesake of example only. Material application control system 113illustratively receives a signal from seed sensor 122, indicating that aseed is passing sensor 122 in seed tube 120. It then determines when toactuate actuator 109 so that material being applied through applicationassembly 117 (and out distal tip 119 of application assembly 117) willbe applied at a desired location relative to the seed in trench orfurrow 162. This is all described in greater detail herein as well. Onebrief example will be described now, by way of overview.

Material application control system 113 illustratively is programmedwith, or detects a distance, e.g., a longitudinal distance, that thedistal tip 119 is from the exit end 121 of seed tube 120. It alsoillustratively senses, or is provided (e.g., by another component, suchas a GPS unit or a tractor, etc.), the ground speed of row unit 106. Asthe row units 106 on an implement being towed by a prime mover (e.g., atractor) may move faster or slower than the tractor during turns,particularly as the width of the implement increases, the materialapplication control system 113 may sense or be provided the ground speedof each row unit 106 of the implement. By way of example, the materialapplication control system 113 may sense or be provided information whenthe implement is turning right indicating that the rightmost row unit106 is travelling slower, i.e., has a lower ground speed, than theleftmost row unit 106. Further, the material application control system113 detects, is provided, or is programmed with, system data indicatingthe responsiveness of actuator 109 under certain conditions (such asunder certain temperature conditions, certain humidity conditions,certain elevations, when spraying a certain type of fluid, etc.) and italso detects, is provided, or programmed with one or more properties ofthe material being applied through actuator 109 (as this may affect thespeed at which actuator 109 responds, the time it takes for the materialto travel through application assembly 117 to the distal tip 119 and beapplied to furrow 162, etc.). Further, material application controlsystem 113 illustratively detects (or is provided with a sensor signalindicative of) the forward speed of row unit 106 in the directiongenerally indicated by arrow 160.

With this type of information, once system 113 receives a seed sensorsignal indicating that a seed is passing sensor 122 in seed tube 120,system 113 determines the amount of time it will take for the seed todrop through the outlet end of seed tube 121 and into furrow 162 toreside at its final seed location and position in furrow 162. It thendetermines when tip 119 will be in a desired location relative to thatfinal seed location and it actuates valve 109 to apply the material atthe desired location. By way of example, it may be that some material isto be applied directly on the seed. In that case, system 113 times theactuation of actuator 109 so that the applied material will be appliedat the seed location. In another example, it may be desirable to applysome material at the seed location and also a predetermined distance oneither side of the seed location. In that case, system 113 controls thesignal used to control actuator 109 so that the material is applied inthe desired fashion. In other examples, it may be that the material isto be applied at a location between seeds in furrow 162. By way ofexample, relatively high nitrogen fertilizer may be most desirablyapplied between seeds, instead of directly on the seed. In that case,system 113 has illustratively been programmed with the desired locationof the applied material, relative to seed location, so that it candetermine when to actuate actuator 109 in order to apply the materialbetween seeds. Further, as discussed above, actuator 109 can be actuatedto dispense material at a varying rate. It can dispense more material onthe seed location and less at locations spaced from the seed location,or vice versa, or according to other patterns.

It will be noted that a wide variety of different configurations arecontemplated herein. For instance, in one example, FIG. 2 shows thatactuator 109 may be placed closer to the distal tip 119 (such asindicated by actuator 109A and 109C). In this way, there is lessuncertainty as to how long it will take the material to travel from theactuator 109A and 109C to the distal tip 119. In yet another example,the valve is disposed at a different location (such as on seed tube 120)as indicated by actuator 109B and 109D. In those scenarios, again,actuator 109B and 109D are closer to the distal tip 119B and thematerial may be applied before and/or after the seed drops into furrow162. For instance, when seed sensor 120 detects a seed, system 113 maybe able to actuate valve 109B or 109D to apply material to furrow 162,before the seed exits the exit end 121 of seed tube 120. However, by thetime the seed drops through distal end 121 of seed tube 120, the finalseed location may be directly on the applied material. In yet anotherexample, system can control actuator 109B or 109D so that it appliesmaterial, but then stops applying it before the seed exits distal end121. In that case, the material may be applied at a location behind theseed in furrow 162, relative to the direction indicated by arrow 160.This actuation timing enables the material to be applied between seeds,on seeds, or elsewhere. All of these and other configurations arecontemplated herein.

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of an applicator unit 105. Some itemsare similar to those shown in FIG. 2 and they are similarly numbered.Briefly, in operation, applicator unit 105 attaches to a side-dress barthat is towed behind a towing vehicle 94, so unit 105 travels betweenrows (if the rows are already planted). However, instead of plantingseeds, it simply applies material at a location between rows of seeds(or, if the seeds are not yet planted, between locations where the rowswill be, after planting). When traveling in the direction indicated byarrow, disc opener 114 (in this example, it is a single disc opener)opens furrow 162 in the ground 136, at a depth set by gauge wheel 116.When actuator 109 is actuated, material is applied in the furrow 162 andclosing wheels 118 then close the furrow 162.

As unit 105 moves, material application control system 113 controlsactuator 109 to dispense material. This can be done relative to seed orplant locations, if they are sensed or are already known or have beenestimated. It can also be done before the seed or plant locations areknown. In this latter scenario, the locations where the material isapplied can be stored so that seeds can be planted later, relative tothe locations of the material that has been already dispensed.

FIG. 2A shows that actuator 109 can be mounted to one of a plurality ofdifferent positions on unit 105. Two of the positions are shown at 109Gand 109H. These are examples and the actuator 109 can be locatedelsewhere as well. Similarly, multiple actuators can be disposed on unit105 to dispense multiple different materials or to dispense it in a morerapid or more voluminous way than is done with only one actuator 109.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 , and similar items are similarly numbered.However, instead of the seed delivery system being a seed tube 120,which relies on gravity to move the seed to the furrow 162, the seeddelivery system shown in FIG. 3 is an assistive seed delivery system166. Assistive seed delivery system 166 also illustratively has a seedsensor 122 disposed therein. Assistive seed delivery system 166 capturesthe seeds as they leave seed meter 124 and moves them in the directionindicated by arrow 168 toward furrow 162. System 166 has an outlet end170 where the seeds exit assistive system 166, into furrow 162, wherethey again reach their final resting location.

In such a system, material application control system 113 considers thespeed at which delivery system 166 moves the seed from seed sensor 122to the exit end 170. It also illustratively considers the speed at whichthe seed moves from the exit end 170 into furrow 162. For instance, inone example the seed simply drops from exit end 170 into furrow 162under the force of gravity. In another example, however, the seed can beejected from delivery system 166 at a greater or lesser speed than thatwhich would be reached under the force of gravity. Similarly, it may bethat the seed drops straight downward into furrow 162 from the outletend 170. In another example, however, it may be that the seed ispropelled slightly rearwardly from the outlet end 170, to accommodatefor the forward motion of the row unit 106, so that the travel path ofthe seed is more vertical and so the seed rolls less once it reaches thefurrow. Further, the seed can be ejected rearwardly and trapped againstthe ground by a trailing member (such as a pinch wheel) which functionsto stop any rearward movement of the seed, after ejection, and to forcethe seed into firm engagement with the ground. Again, FIG. 3 also showsthat valve 109 can be placed at any of a wide variety of differentlocations, some of which are illustrated by values 109A, 109B, 109C and109D. There can be a more than one seed sensor, seed sensors ofdifferent types, different locations for seed sensors, etc.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and similar items are similarly numbered.However, in FIG. 4 , row unit 106 is also provided with members 172and/or 174. Members 172 and/or 174 can be spring biased into engagementwith the soil, or rigidly attached to the frame of row unit 106. In oneexample, member 172 can be a furrow shaper, which contacts the soil inthe area within or closely proximate the furrow, and immediately afterthe furrow is opened, but before the seed is placed therein. Member 172can thus contact the side(s) of the furrow, the bottom of the furrow, anarea adjacent the furrow, or other areas. It can be fitted with a sensor176, e.g., seed sensor 176, as well.

In another example, member 172 can be positioned so that it movesthrough the furrow after the seed is placed in the furrow. In such anexample, member 172 may act as a seed firmer, which firms the seed intoits final seed location.

In either case, member 172 can include a seed sensor 176, which sensesthe presence of the seed. It may be an optical sensor, which opticallysenses the seed presence as member 172 moves adjacent to, ahead of, orover the seed. It may be a mechanical sensor that senses the seedpresence, or it may be another type of sensor that senses the presenceof the seed in the furrow. Sensor 176 illustratively provides a signalto material application control system 113 indicating the presence ofthe sensed seed.

In such an example, it may be that actuator 109 is placed at thelocation of actuator 109E, shown in FIG. 4 , and the outlet end of theapplication assembly is shown at 119C. In the example shown in FIG. 4 ,outlet end 119C is shown closely behind member 172 relative to thedirection indicated by arrow 160. It can be disposed on the oppositeside of member 172 as well (such as forward of member 172 in thedirection indicated by arrow 160). In such an example, the seed sensorsenses the seed at a location that corresponds to its final seedlocation, or that is very closely proximate its final seed location.This may increase the accuracy with which seed sensor senses the finalseed location.

Also, in the example shown in FIG. 4 , row unit 106 can have member 174in addition to, or instead of, member 172. Member 174 can also beconfigured to engage the soil within, or closely proximate, the trenchor furrow. It can have a seed sensor 178 that senses the presence of aseed (or a characteristic from which seed presence can be derived). Itcan be placed so that it closely follows the exit end 121 of the seedtube 120, or the exit end 170 of the assistive delivery system 166.Also, actuator 109 can be placed at the position illustrated at 109F.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a rotatable mechanism that can be used aspart of the seed metering system (or seed meter) 124. The rotatablemechanism includes a rotatable disc, or concave element, 180. Rotatableelement 180 has a cover (not shown) and is rotatably mounted relative tothe frame of the row unit 106. Rotatable element 180 is driven by amotor (not shown) and has a plurality of projections or tabs 182 thatare closely proximate corresponding apertures 184. A seed pool 186 isdisposed generally in a lower portion of an enclosure formed by rotatingmechanism 180 and its corresponding cover. Rotatable element 180 isrotatably driven by its motor (such as an electric motor, a pneumaticmotor, a hydraulic motor, etc.) for rotation generally in the directionindicated by arrow 188, about a hub. A pressure differential isintroduced into the interior of the metering mechanism so that thepressure differential influences seeds from seed pool 186 to be drawn toapertures 184. For instance, a vacuum can be applied to draw the seedsfrom seed pool 186 so that they come to rest in apertures 184, where thevacuum holds them in place. Alternatively, a positive pressure can beintroduced into the interior of the metering mechanism to create apressure differential across apertures 184 to perform the same function.

Once a seed comes to rest in (or proximate) an aperture 184, the vacuumor positive pressure differential acts to hold the seed within theaperture 184 such that the seed is carried upwardly generally in thedirection indicated by arrow 188, from seed pool 186, to a seeddischarge area 190. It may happen that multiple seeds are residing in anindividual seed cell. In that case, a set of brushes or other members194 that are located closely adjacent the rotating seed cells tend toremove the multiple seeds so that only a single seed is carried by eachindividual cell. Additionally, a seed sensor 193 can also illustrativelybe mounted adjacent to rotating element 180. It generates a signalindicative of seed presence and this may be used by system 113, as willbe discussed in greater detail below.

Once the seeds reach the seed discharge area 190, the vacuum or otherpressure differential is illustratively removed, and a positive seedremoval wheel or knock-out wheel 191, can act to remove the seed fromthe seed cell. Wheel 191 illustratively has a set of projections 195that protrude at least partially into apertures 184 to actively dislodgethe seed from those apertures. When the seed is dislodged (such as seed171), it is illustratively moved by the seed tube 120, seed deliverysystem 166 (some examples of which are shown above in FIGS. 2-4 andbelow in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) to the furrow 162 in the ground.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a seed metering system and a seed deliverysystem, in which the rotating element 180 is positioned so that its seeddischarge area 190 is above, and closely proximate, seed delivery system166. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , seed delivery system 166 includesa transport mechanism such as a belt 200 with a brush that is formed ofdistally extending bristles 202 attached to belt 200 that act as areceiver for the seeds. Belt 200 is mounted about pulleys 204 and 206.One of pulleys 204 and 206 is illustratively a drive pulley while theother is illustratively an idler pulley. The drive pulley isillustratively rotatably driven by a conveyance motor, which can be anelectric motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, etc. Belt 200 isdriven generally in the direction indicated by arrow 208

Therefore, when seeds are moved by rotating element 180 to the seeddischarge area 190, where they are discharged from the seed cells inrotating element 180, they are illustratively positioned within thebristles 202 by the projections 182 that push the seed into the bristles202. Seed delivery system 166 illustratively includes walls that form anenclosure around the bristles 202, so that, as the bristles 202 move inthe direction indicated by arrow 208, the seeds are carried along withthem from the seed discharge area 190 of the metering mechanism, to adischarge area 210 either at ground level, or below ground level withina trench or furrow 162 that is generated by the furrow opener 114 on therow unit 106.

Additionally, a seed sensor 203 is also illustratively coupled to seeddelivery system 166. As the seeds are moved within bristles 202, sensor203 can detect the presence or absence of a seed. It should also benoted that while the present description will proceed as having sensors122, 193 and/or 203, it is expressly contemplated that, in anotherexample, only one sensor is used. Or additional sensors can also beused. Similarly, the seed sensor 203 shown in FIG. 6 can be disposed ata different location, such as that shown at 203A. Having the seed sensorcloser to where the seed is ejected from the system can reduce error inidentifying the final seed location. Again, there can be multiple seedsensors, different kinds of seed sensors, and they can be located atmany different locations.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 , except that seed delivery system 166 doesnot include a belt with distally extending bristles. Instead, itincludes a flighted belt (transport mechanism) in which a set of paddles214 form individual chambers (or receivers), into which the seeds aredropped, from the seed discharge area 190 of the metering mechanism. Theflighted belt moves the seeds from the seed discharge area 190 to theexit end 210 of the flighted belt, within the trench or furrow 162.

There are a wide variety of other types of delivery systems as well,that include a transport mechanism and a receiver that receives a seed.For instance, they include dual belt delivery systems in which opposingbelts receive, hold, and move seeds to the furrow, a rotatable wheelthat has sprockets, which catch seeds from the metering system and movethem to the furrow, multiple transport wheels that operate to transportthe seed to the furrow, and an auger, among others. The presentdescription will proceed with respect to an endless member (such as abrush belt, a flighted belt) and/or a seed tube, but many other deliverysystems are contemplated herein as well.

Before continuing with the description of applying material relative toseed location, a brief description of some examples of seed sensors 122,193 and 203 will first be provided. Sensors 122, 193 and 203 areillustratively coupled to seed metering system 124 and seed deliverysystem 120, 166. Sensors 122, 193 and 203 sense an operatingcharacteristic of seed metering system 124 and seed delivery systems120, 166. In one example, sensors 122, 193 and 203 are seed sensors thatare each mounted at a sensor location to sense a seed within seed tube120, seed metering system 124, and delivery system 166, respectively, asthe seed passes the respective sensor location. In one example, sensors122, 193, and 203 are optical or reflective sensors and thus include atransmitter component and a receiver component. The transmittercomponent emits electromagnetic radiation into seed tube 120, seedmetering system 180, and/or delivery system 166. In the case of areflective sensor, the receiver component then detects the reflectedradiation and generates a signal indicative of the presence or absenceof a seed adjacent to sensor 122, 193, and 203 based on the reflectedradiation. With other sensors, radiation such as light, is transmittedthrough the seed tube 120, seed metering system 124, or the deliverysystem 166. When the light beam is interrupted by a seed, the sensorsignal varies, to indicate a seed. Thus, each sensor 122, 193, and 203generates a seed sensor signal that pulses or otherwise varies, and thepulses or variations are indicative of the presence of a seed passingthe sensor location proximate the sensor.

For example, in regards to sensor 203, bristles 202 pass sensor 203 andare colored to absorb a majority of the radiation emitted from thetransmitter. As a result, absent a seed, reflected radiation received bythe receiver is relatively low. Alternatively, when a seed passes thesensor location where sensor 203 is mounted, more of the emitted lightis reflected off the seed and back to the receiver, indicating thepresence of a seed. The differences in the reflected radiation allow fora determination to be made as to whether a seed is, in fact, present.Additionally, in other examples, sensors 122, 193, and 203 can include acamera and image processing logic that allow visual detection as towhether a seed is present within seed metering system 124, seed tube120, and/or seed delivery system 166, at the sensor location proximatethe sensor. They can include a wide variety of other sensors (such asRADAR or LIDAR sensors) as well.

For instance, where a seed sensor is placed on a seed firmer, it may bemechanical or other type of sensor that senses contact with the seed asthe sensor passes over the seed. Also, while the speed of the seed inthe delivery system (or as it is ejected) can be identified by using asensor that detects the speed of the delivery system, in some examples,the speed and/or other characteristics of movement of the seed can beidentified using seed sensors. For instance, one or more seed sensorscan be located to sense the speed of movement of the seed, itstrajectory or path, its instantaneous acceleration, its presence, etc.This can be helpful in scenarios in which the seed delivery systemchanges speed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one example of material applicationcontrol system 113 in more detail. In the example, it is assumed thatactuators 109 are valves and that the material to be applied is pumpedto actuators 109 by pump 115. Of course, this is just one example andactuators 109 could be pumps or other actuators as well. In the exampleshown in FIG. 8 , system 113 illustratively includes one or moreprocessors 250, communication system 252, data store 254, valveactuation identification system 256, valve control signal generator 258,fluid pressure control signal generator 260, operator interface logic262, and it can include a wide variety of other items 264. FIG. 8 alsoshows that valve actuation identification system 256 can include eventdriven processing system 266 and/or frequency driven processing system268. It illustratively includes queue generation system 270, and it caninclude a wide variety of other items 272. Fluid pressure control signalgenerator 260 illustratively includes pump pressure controller 274and/or variable orifice controller 276. It can include other items 278as well.

Data store 254 can include a wide variety of different types ofinformation. The information can be pre-configured or pre-programmedinto data store 254, or it can be sensed by sensors and stored in datastore 254 intermittently (such as periodically, or it can be regularlyupdated based on those sensor inputs). By way of example, data store 254illustratively includes system information 280, material information282, planting information 284, and it can include a wide variety ofother information 286. System information 280 illustratively includesinformation about the planter 100, the delivery system 120, 166, and/orother items that are used to plant seed. It includes information thatcan be used to identify when to apply material relative to the seedlocation of a seed in furrow 162. Therefore, it can include informationthat allows valve actuation identification system 256 to identify atiming of when the valves 109 should be opened to apply the material,relative to the seed location.

As examples, system information 280 can include machine dimensions 282.These dimensions can include dimensions that indicate where the valve isplaced relative to the outlet opening of the seed delivery system. Itcan include dimensional information indicating where the valve is placedrelative to the seed sensor. It can include information such as thesize, e.g., one or more dimensions, of the seed delivery system 120,166, so that the distance between the seed sensor and the furrow 162 canbe identified. It can include a wide variety of other machine dimensioninformation 282 as well.

System information 280 can also include machine part speed information284. This information can include the speed of an endless member used todeliver seed (such as the brush belt 200 delivery system or the flightedbelt 214 delivery system). Where the speed of those mechanisms changeswith the ground speed of the planter, information 284 can identify thedifferent belt speeds relative to this sensed ground speed or provide acorrelation so the belt speed can be calculated given the ground speed.It can include other machine part speed information as well such as thespeed of metering system 124, etc.

System information 280 also illustratively includes valve/actuatorresponsiveness information 286. Information 286 can indicate theresponsiveness of the actuator 109 that is being used to apply thematerial. In one example, the actuator 109 may be a solenoid valve sothat there is a latency between when a valve open signal is applied andwhen the solenoid actually opens the valve. The same is true for closingthe valve. That is, there may be a latency between when the valve closesignal is applied and when the valve actually closes. In addition, theactuator responsiveness may change based upon the particular propertiesof the material that is flowing through the valve. It may change basedupon the type of nozzle that is being used, and it may change underdifferent ambient conditions (e.g., it may take longer to cycle when theweather is cold than when the weather is warm, etc.). The valve/actuatorresponsiveness information 286 can indicate valve responsiveness giventhese and other types of information. System information 280 can includea wide variety of other information 288, as well.

Material information 282 illustratively identifies properties of thematerial that is being applied by the system. For instance, materialinformation 282 may include an exit velocity information 290 thatidentifies a velocity at which the material exits the valve or actuatoror nozzle that is being used to apply it. Again, the exit velocity ofthe material may change based on the material, under differentconditions, and the exit velocity information 290 may indicate this aswell.

Where the material is a liquid material, then material information 282may also include viscosity information 292, which identifies theviscosity or other liquid properties of the material. The viscosity maychange at different temperatures or under other circumstances, andviscosity information 292 will illustratively indicate this. Thematerial information 282 can include a wide variety of other information294 indicative of other properties of the material being applied.

Planting information 284 can include a wide variety of different typesof information indicative of the planting operation. For example, it caninclude target population information 296 that identifies a target seedpopulation. It can include target application rate information 298 thatindicates a target application rate for the material being applied. Itcan include application placement relative to seed information 300 thatindicates placement properties of the application, or applicationpattern, for the material. For instance, where the material is liquidmaterial and is being applied in a band of liquid, it may indicate thelength of each application band to be applied by the valve or actuator.It may indicate a placement of that band relative to the seed location.For instance, where the band is to be four inches long, the placementinformation may indicate a relative placement of the center of the band(along its longitudinal length) relative to seed location. In this way,where the material is to be applied at the seed location, then thecenter of the band will illustratively correspond to the seed location.However, where the material is to be applied at a location other thanthe seed location, then the center of the band will illustratively beoffset from the seed location by a desired amount. Similarly, theapplication rate may vary within an application band. For instance, thematerial may be applied more heavily near the center of the band than ateither end of the band or vice versa. This type of information can beincluded in information 300. The planting information 284 can include awide variety of other information 302, indicative of the plantingoperation, as well.

FIG. 8 also shows that material application control system 113illustratively receives one or more seed sensor signals 304 that may begenerated from one or more of seed sensors 122, 193 or 203, or anotherseed sensor located at a different location. Seed sensor signal 304 mayillustratively indicate when the particular sensor senses the presenceof a seed.

FIG. 8 also shows that, in one example, system 113 includes an inputfrom ground speed sensor 306, which senses the ground speed of row unit106. The sensor may be located on the towing vehicle or elsewhere, andillustratively provides a sensor signal indicative of ground speed.

As discussed above, some of the information stored in data store 254 maybe pre-configured or pre-defined. In another example, it may be sensedby various sensors. Therefore, in one example, system 113 receives thevalve/actuator responsiveness information 286 from a valve/actuatorresponsiveness sensor 308. Sensor 308 may illustratively sense themovement of a solenoid, or other actuator, to sense how responsive theactuator or valve is to the control signals that are applied to it.Thus, it may provide a signal indicative of the latency between applyinga valve open signal (or pump on signal) and when the valve actuallyopens (or the pump turns on), and indicative of latency between applyinga valve close signal (or pump off signal) and when the valve actuallyclose (or the pump turns off), among other things.

The machine part speeds information 284 may also be sensed by machinepart speed sensors 310. Those sensors may illustratively sense the speedat which the seed delivery system 166 is moving, the speed at which theseed metering system 124 is moving, or the speed of a wide variety ofother machine parts that are needed to generate the actuator signalsused to apply material, as desired.

Similarly, the material information 282 can be sensed as well, bymaterial property sensors 312. Those sensors may sense such things asmaterial temperature, material viscosity, among other things.

System 113 can also receive an input from a position sensor 314.Position sensor 314 may include a GPS system, a LORAN system, a cellulartriangulation system, or another type of position system that provides asignal indicative of the position of the sensor 314 in a global or localcoordinate system. Such a sensor can also be used to determine groundspeed, among other things.

System 113 also illustratively receives an input from a planting startsignal generator 316. Generator 316 can cause any of a wide variety ofdifferent signals from any of a wide variety of different sensors,actuators or control inputs, indicating that the planting operation hasbegun. For instance, it may be that the operator 92 of the towingvehicle 94 depresses a button or provides another input through a userinterface mechanism 96 to start the planting operation. This may besensed by signal generator 316 and used to generate a signal indicatingthat the planting operation has begun. In another example, generator 316may include a sensor indicating that either metering system 124 or seeddelivery system 166 has begun moving. In another example, generator 316may include a sensor indicating that a seed has passed the sensors 122,and/or 203. It may generate a signal based on this, which is indicativeof the planting operation beginning.

System 113 can also receive an input from verification trigger generator318. Generator 318 provides an input, under certain circumstances, whichare described in greater detail elsewhere herein, indicating when system113 is to perform a verification operation, especially where frequencydriven processing system 268 is used.

When a verification operation is to be performed, signals may bereceived by system 113 from a variety of different verification sensors320. Examples of these sensors are described elsewhere herein.

Valve control signal generator 258 illustratively generates controlsignals 322 that are sent and/or applied to the valves or actuators 109in order to apply the material. This is also described in greater detailherein.

In some examples, the material being applied is a fluid that is providedas fluid under pressure by pump 115. In that case, the pump displacementmay be controlled to control the pressure. Similarly, the valves ornozzles may be provided with a variable orifice. In that case, thevariable orifice may be controlled as well. Therefore, fluid pressurecontrol signal generator 260 illustratively generates outputs 324 thatillustratively control the pump and/or variable orifice, in thosescenarios. In a scenario in which actuators 109 are pumps, outputs 324can control those pumps as well.

System 113 can include a wide variety of other inputs and it cangenerate a wide variety of other outputs as well. This is indicated byblock 326.

FIG. 8 also shows that, in one example, operator interface logic 262 maygenerate signals that are output to operator interface mechanisms 96,and it can receive information from those mechanisms as well. This isindicated by block 328.

Before describing the overall operation of material application controlsystem 113, a brief description of some of the items in system 113 willfirst be provided. Communication system 252 can be any of a wide varietyof different types of communication systems that allow materialapplication control system 113 to communicate with a control system ontowing vehicle 94 and/or operator interface mechanisms 96. It can alsoallow items on system 113 to communicate with one another, and tocommunicate with one or more different remote computing systems.Therefore, for instance, communication system 252 can include acontroller area network—CAN—communication system, a local area network,a wide area network, a near field communication system, a cellularcommunication, or any of a wide variety of other networks orcombinations of networks and communication systems.

Valve actuation identification system 256 illustratively receives someof the inputs discussed above and identifies when the valves 109 are tobe actuated in order to apply material at a desired location relative tothe location of the seeds being placed in furrow 162. In one example, itincludes event driven processing system 266, which determines when thevalves are to be actuated based on an event, such as based uponreceiving an indication from seed sensors signal 304 that a seed hasbeen sensed. For instance, referring to FIG. 3 , assume that seed sensor122 detects a seed in delivery system 166. Event driven processingsystem 266 calculates a time that it will take that seed to travel tothe outlet end 170 of delivery system 166, based upon the speed ofdelivery system 166, as indicated by machine part speed sensors 310. Itthen calculates a time delay, during which the seed will move from theoutlet end 170 of the seed delivery system 166 to its final restingplace is furrow 162. Then, based upon the location of the valve 109 onrow unit 106, the valve/actuator responsiveness, the exit velocity orviscosity of the material being applied, the ground speed of row unit106, and based upon the desired placement of the material relative tothe seed location (as indicated by the corresponding information in datastore 254 or based on the inputs from the sensors discussed above),event driven processing system 266 calculates when the valves 109 shouldbe actuated in order to apply the material at the desired place,relative to the seed location.

In another example, valve actuation identification system 256 caninclude frequency driven processing system 268. Frequency drivenprocessing system 268 need not necessarily receive an input from a seedsensor, but instead is a controlled system, e.g., a highly controlledsystem, that knows the speeds of the various parts of row unit 106, itknows the valve placement on row unit 106, valve responsiveness, and thematerial properties. Therefore, frequency driven processing system 268knows, in an a priori fashion, when seeds will be placed in the furrow162, and thus when to actuate the valves 109. In such a tightlycontrolled system, frequency driven processing system 268 simply needsto know when the planting operation begins, e.g., when the first seed isdeposited into the furrow 162. It can then calculate the theoreticaltime when seeds will be deposited in the furrow, and thus when toactuate the valves to apply the material at the desired locationrelative to the seeds. Therefore, in that scenario, system 268 receivesa signal from planting start signal generator 316, which is indicativeof when the planting operation begins. Based on that information,frequency driven processing system 268 calculates when the valves 109are to be actuated and provides an indication of that to valve controlsignal generator 258, which generates the corresponding valve controlsignals.

Also, in one example, it may be that frequency driven processing system268 occasionally verifies that it is actuating the valves according tothe correct pattern, e.g., that the timing calculated by the system 268aligns properly with the deposition of seeds into the furrow 162(relative to the seeds in the furrow 162). In that case, frequencydriven processing system 268 may intermittently receive an input fromseed sensor signal 304 identifying where an actual seed was sensed. Itcan then determine whether the a priori pattern it is using to actuatevalves 109 is correct based upon the actual seed sensor signal. In someexamples, the frequency driven processing system 268 uses a periodicallysensed single seed (e.g., the seed sensor signal 304 identifies andreports a single seed in one or more of space and time). In someexamples, the frequency driven processing system 268 uses a periodicallysensed multiple seeds (e.g., the seed sensor signal 304 identifies andreports multiple seeds, such as strings of 2 seeds, 3 seeds 4 seedsseeds, 6 seeds, or any other number of seeds necessary or helpful to thefrequency driven processing system 268). In some examples, the frequencyof verification by the frequency driven processing system 268 is looselyinversely related to the number of seeds reported by the seed sensorsignal 304. For example, verification may occur more frequently whenonly a single seed is sensed and reported, whereas verification mayoccur less frequently when two or more seeds are sensed and reported. Ifa correction is needed, then it can make that correction to the patternit is using, and use the corrected pattern going forward. The frequencydriven processing system 268 can intermittently re-verify that patternas well.

Thus, in one example, frequency driven processing system 268 receives aninput from verification trigger generator 318 indicating that averification operation is to be performed. The triggers can include oneor more of a wide variety of different triggers (the system may beinitiated by a single trigger or it may be initiated when only two ormore triggers are received). For instance, the system may be triggeredto verify its a priori pattern after a certain number of seeds have beenplanted (the number of seeds may be identified substantially exactlyusing a seed sensor, or the number of seeds may be estimated orcalculated using system inputs, such as, but not limited, to seedpopulation and prime mover travel speed). It may be triggered after acertain distance has been traveled by row unit 106 (as mentioned, thetriggering distance may vary based on the set seed population, e.g., ahigher seed population may trigger the system after a shorter distancethan a lower seed population). It may be triggered after a specific timehas elapsed. These are just examples of triggers. Once the verificationoperation has been triggered, then frequency driven processing system268 may receive other sensor signal inputs from verification sensors320, that are used to verify the pattern that system 268 is using toapply the material. Some of these are discussed in greater detailelsewhere herein.

In another example, queue generation system 270 generates a set of valveactuation timing signals, indicating when valves 109 should be actuated,for a future sequence of actuations. For instance, queue generationsystem 270 may generate a queue of timing signals that are generatedeither by event driven processing system 266 or frequency drivenprocessing system 268, and provide that plurality of queued timingsignals to valve control signal generator 258. Valve control signalgenerator 258 can receive that set of signals and generate valveactuator control signals based upon the queued sequence of timingsignals. In this way, the network bandwidth for communication betweenvalve actuation identification system 256 and valve control signalgenerator 258 need not be as high. By communicating a plurality of valveactuation timing signals as a queued sequence of signals, the frequencywith which those signals need to be sent can be greatly reduced over animplementation in which each valve actuation timing signal is sent,individually and separately, for each valve actuation.

Valve control signal generator 258 can generate the valve controlsignals in a wide variety of different ways. It can generate thosesignals and apply them through a hardware wiring harness, throughwireless communication, or in other ways.

In some examples, the fluid pressure of the material to be applied is tobe controlled. For instance, by increasing the fluid pressure, this mayincrease the exit velocity of the material as it is applied by the valveor nozzle being controlled. Similarly, where the valve or nozzle is notdirected vertically, but has a horizontal component to its orientation,increasing the fluid pressure may change the trajectory of the fluidafter it exits the valve or nozzle. This will change the location on theground where the material is applied.

In the same way, where the valve or nozzle is provided with a variableorifice, varying the orifice may change the trajectory or exit velocityof the material as well. Thus, pump pressure controller 274 can controlthe pump pressure to obtain a desired exit velocity and/or trajectory ofthe material being applied. Variable orifice controller 276 can variablycontrol the orifice to also achieve a desired exit velocity and/ortrajectory of the applied material. In some examples, variable orificecontroller 276 and pump pressure controller 274 can work in concert tocontrol the exit velocity and/or trajectory of the material beingapplied.

Operator interface logic 262 can generate information that is providedto operator interface mechanisms 96 so that operator 92 can interactwith that information. Similarly, operator interface logic 262 canreceive information indicative of operator inputs from operator 92through operator interface mechanisms 96. It can communicate thatinformation to the various items or components on/of materialapplication control system 113.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of the overalloperation of material application control system 113. It is firstassumed that the planting machine (e.g., row unit 106) begins theplanting operation. This is indicated by block 340 in the flow diagramof FIG. 9 . Based upon the various inputs, valve actuationidentification system 256 calculates when to actuate the valves to applythe material relative to the seed location in the furrow 162. This isindicated by block 342. In one example, the material can be liquid. Thisis indicated by block 344. In one example, system 256 can determine whento actuate the valves using event driven processing system 266. This isindicated by block 346 in the flow diagram of FIG. 9 . In anotherexample, system 256 can determine when the valves are to be actuatedusing frequency driven processing system 268. This is indicated by block348. In one example, frequency driven processing system 268 can be usedin conjunction with event driven processing system 266. Further, thetiming indicators, indicating when the valves 109 are to be actuated,may be sent individually or they may be grouped together by queuegeneration system 278 and sent, as groups, to valve control signalgenerator 258. Sending them individually or queuing the actuation eventsand sending them to valve control signal generator 258, in groups, isindicated by block 350 in the flow diagram of FIG. 9 . Valve actuationidentification system 256 can identify when the valves are to beactuated and output an indication of that to valve control signalgenerator 258, in other ways as well. This is indicated by block 352 inthe flow diagram of FIG. 9 .

Valve control signal generator 258 then generates control signals tocontrol valve actuation, based upon the output from valve actuationidentification system 256. The control signals control valves 109 sothat the material being applied is applied at the desired location inthe furrow, e.g., relative to the seed location. Generating controlsignals to control valve actuation is indicated by block 354 in the flowdiagram of FIG. 9 .

In one example, there is a single valve that controls a single nozzle,per row being planted. Controlling a single valve is indicated by block356. In another example, it may be that the nozzles or valves do nothave a high enough bandwidth, e.g., max operating frequency, in order toapply the material at the desired frequency. In that case, there may bemultiple valves per row being planted that can be controlled in order toachieve a higher application rate. These same types of configurationscan be used when actuators 109 are pumps instead of valves.

For example, the seed population (e.g., seeds/acre) and row spacing areused to determine the seed-to-seed spacing in the furrow 162. Thisspacing, and the travel speed of planter 100, can be used to identifyhow quickly a valve is to respond in order to administer per-seedapplication (e.g., on each seed or between adjacent seeds/grains). Atarget seed rate of, for instance, 36,000 seeds/acre, with the plantertraveling at 10 mph and with a thirty-inch row spacing, means that anozzle on the planter will pass thirty seeds per second, or one seedevery thirty three milliseconds. Some current fertilizer valves operateat about 10-15 Hz. Additionally, the opening time and closing time forsome current valves can be approximately 7-8 milliseconds. This is oftennot fast enough to place fertilizer (or other material) on a per seedbasis. Thus, the present system can have two or more valves (e.g.,solenoids or other valves) per row operating out of phase (e.g., evenlyout of phase) with one another to increase the overall frequency withwhich material can be applied in a row. While one valve is closing,another can be opening. Each valve can have its own nozzle or multiplevalves can share a nozzle or multiple valves can provide material tomultiple nozzles. These multiple valves per row can be placed proximateone another in the valve locations identified above in FIGS. 2-4 orelsewhere. They can be controlled using control signals timed asdescribed herein for a single valve, except that the valve controlsignals can be spread across the multiple valves to obtain the desiredmaterial application rate, timing and placement.

Further, it may be desirable to apply multiple different materials perrow. In that case, there may be multiple different valves, per row, eachdispensing a different material. Thus, valve actuation identificationsystem 256 can provide an indication as to when to actuate each of thevalves to apply the corresponding material, so that it is applied at thedesired location relative to the seed, and valve control signalgenerator 258 generates control signals for the different valves, basedupon the output from system 256. For example, one valve or valve set mayapply a first commodity directly to the seed while another valve orvalve set may apply a second commodity, e.g., a hot commodity, betweenseeds. Controlling multiple valves per row is indicated by block 358.Valve control signal generator 258 can generate control signals tocontrol the valves in a wide variety of other ways as well, and this isindicated by block 360.

This continues until the planting operation is complete. This isindicated by block 362 in the flow diagram of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one example of event drivenprocessing system 266, in more detail. System 266 illustrativelyincludes time stamp generator 364, time delay generation system 366,travel distance generation system 368, valve/nozzle time offsetgenerator 370, pulse timing generator 372, pulse duration generator 374,and it can include a wide variety of other items 376. FIG. 10 also showsthat, in one example, event driven processing system 266 receives theone or more seed sensor signals 304, and endless member speed indicator284 that indicates the speed of the delivery system 166 and/or meter124, delivery system and meter dimension data 282 that indicates suchthings as the meter and/or delivery system size, the distance that theseed will drop after it exits the delivery system to the furrow, etc.System 266 receives valve/nozzle properties (such as valve location andresponsiveness). This corresponds to the information 282, 284, and 286discussed above. It can receive target liquid placement indicator 300,that identifies where the material is to be applied, e.g., relative tothe seed in the furrow. It can receive the material properties 282. Itcan also receive an input indicative of ground speed 378. This can comefrom ground speed sensor 306 (discussed with respect to FIG. 8 ) orelsewhere. It can receive a wide variety of other information 380 aswell. As discussed above, the inputs to event driven processing system266 can include information from data store 254 or from variousdifferent sensors, or from a combination of those things.

Time stamp generator 364 illustratively receives seed sensor signal 304and generates a time stamp indicating when signal 304 indicates thepresence of a seed. Time delay generation system 366 then generates atime delay indicative of the amount of time it will take the seed totravel from the particular seed sensor that sensed it, to an outletopening of the seed delivery system 166 or seed tube 120. For instance,meter/delivery system delay generator 382 illustratively calculates theamount of time it will take the seed to travel from wherever it wassensed (meter 124, seed delivery system 120 or 166, or elsewhere) to theexit end of the seed delivery system, based upon the type of seeddelivery system, the type of meter, etc. Where the seed is sensed in theseed meter, generator 382 obtains the speed of the seed meter and thespeed of the delivery system 166, along with the size of both (e.g., thedistance the seed must travel at the two different speeds) to identify atime when the seed will exit the seed delivery system. If the seeddelivery system 166 is a seed tube 120, then the travel time through theseed tube will correspond, at least partially, to the acceleration ofgravity, as the seed passes through the seed tube (other factors mayimpact the calculation, such as the forward travel speed of the row unit106 and the coefficient of friction of both the seed and the innersurface(s) of the seed tube, among others). If the delivery system 166is an assistive system, then the time will include the delay of thatsystem in moving the seed from wherever it was sensed, to the outlet endof the delivery system. This may be based on the speed of an endlessmember, the velocity of a pneumatic assistance system, etc. If the seedsensor is located closer proximate the outlet end of the deliverysystem, then the time calculated by meter/delivery system delaygenerator 382 will be less, because the seed will be detected closer tothe exit end of the delivery system. Depending on the response time ofthe valves 109, a seed sensor may be located as close as possible to theoutlet end of the delivery system (or elsewhere, such as on a seedfirmer) to minimize, if not eliminate, the time calculated bymeter/delivery system delay generator 382. System 366 can include otheritems 384 as well.

In the example where time delay generation system 366 identifies thetime delay, then valve/nozzle time offset generator 370 illustrativelycalculates a time offset corresponding to the responsiveness of thevalve being controlled, under the current conditions. For instance, theresponsiveness may vary based upon the particular valve or actuator,based on the properties of the material being applied, based upon theambient conditions, based on the pump pressure, or based on otherthings. Valve/nozzle time offset generator 370 generates an outputindicative of a time offset that corresponds to a latency in actuationof the valve.

Pulse timing generator 372 then generates a timing output indicative ofa time when the valve should be actuated, based upon the time delaygenerated by meter/delivery system delay generator 382 and the offsetgenerated by valve/nozzle time offset generator 370. In short,meter/delivery system delay generator 382 calculates the amount of timeit will take for the seed to move from where it was sensed to its finalseed location in furrow 162, and valve/nozzle time offset generator 370will calculate how long it will take to begin applying the material,based upon the properties of the valve or actuator, once the valveactuation control signal is applied. Pulse timing generator 372 thengenerates a time when the actuator control signal should be applied tothe valve/actuator, based upon the delay time generated by generator 382and the offset generated by generator 370, and based upon the time stampgenerated by time stamp generator 364.

Pulse duration generator 374 generates an output indicative of how longthe valve should stay on, e.g., open. This can include determining thelatency in the valve response between the time that it is commanded toclose and when it actually closes. This may vary based upon the type ofmaterial being applied, based upon ambient conditions, etc. The twotiming signals (the pulse time indicating when the actuator should beactuated, and generated by generator 372, and the pulse duration outputby pulse duration generator 374) are provided to valve control signalgenerator 258. Valve control signal generator 258 generates valvecontrol signals to actuate the valve at the time indicated by pulsetiming generator 372, and to keep the valve actuated for a durationindicated by pulse duration generator 374. The rate at which thematerial is applied can also be varied. For example, the valve may be aproportional valve so more or less material can be applied.

In another example, where the seed metering system or delivery systemchanges speeds during planting, instead of using time delay generationsystem 366 (or in addition to it), event driven processing system 266can include travel distance generation system 368. Instead ofcalculating the time that will be needed to move the seed from thelocation where it was sensed, e.g., in the meter or the seed deliverysystem, into the furrow, meter/delivery system speed integrator 386 canintegrate acceleration (that arises from changes in velocity) to obtainthe velocity of the system and it can then integrate the velocity toobtain a signal indicative of the location of the seed (or the distanceit has traveled) to determine when the seed exits the seed deliverysystem, and final seed location estimator 388 determines where the seedwill be in its final seed location in furrow 162.

As an example, meter/delivery system speed integrator 386 integrates theacceleration and speed of the seed meter (if the seed sensor is disposedon the seed meter), and/or the acceleration and speed of the seeddelivery system 166 (if the seed sensor is disposed on the seed deliverysystem). This provides a distance indicator that indicates the distancetraveled by the seed. This distance is compared to the dimensions of themeter and/or delivery system 166 to determine when the seed has traveleda sufficient distance that it has reached the exit end of the seeddelivery system 166. When this occurs, integrator 386 provides an outputindicating that the seed should now be exiting the seed delivery system166.

Final seed location estimator 388 estimates when the seed has reachedits final location based upon the distance it must travel from the exitend of the seed delivery system 166 to the bottom of the furrow 162. Itmay include factors that accommodate for possible rolling of the seed,or other movement of the seed after it reaches the ground. Final seedlocation estimator 388 then generates an output indicating that the seedhas reached its final location.

Knowing that the seed is in its final location, valve/nozzle time offsetgenerator 370 can generate an output indicating any time offsetcorresponding to the valve/actuator latency or responsiveness. Pulsetiming generator 372 and pulse duration generator 374 generate thetiming for the valve/actuator control signal and its duration, asdescribed above.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing one example of the operation of eventdriven processing system 266 (discussed with respect to FIG. 10 ), inmore detail. It is first assumed that row unit 106 is configured forplanting. This is indicated by block 392 in the flow diagram of FIG. 11. It has thus illustratively sensed or obtained the system information,such as the system dimensions, valve placement, etc. This is indicatedby block 394. It has also illustratively obtained or sensed valveresponsiveness as indicated by block 396 and the properties of thematerial (e.g., liquid) being applied. This is indicated by block 398.It can receive or detect row spacing as indicated by block 400, targetpopulation as indicated by block 402, and target application rate asindicated by block 404. It can detect or receive the applicationplacement. In the present example, it will be assumed that liquidmaterial is to be applied in a band. In that case, it detects thedistance from the seed location to the center of the band (in someexamples, the valve/nozzle may be laterally adjustable such that thecenter of the band may be selectively placed relative to an actual ortheoretical seed location). This is indicated by block 406. It candetect or receive the desired band length as indicated by block 408, anda wide variety of other information as indicated by block 410.

At some point, the planting operation begins so that row unit 106 isperforming the planting operation. This is indicated by block 412.Because FIG. 11 is discussing the operation of event driven processingsystem 266, that means that controlling the application of the materialis based on an event, such as a seed detection. Therefore, system 266receives the seed sensor signal 304 indicating that a seed has beendetected. This is indicated by block 414 in the flow diagram of FIG. 11. The seed can be detected by a sensor 203 that is on the seed deliverysystem 166 (such as on the brush belt or flighted belt) as indicated byblock 416. The seed sensor can be sensor 122 on the seed tube 120 asindicated by block 418. It can be sensor 193 on the seed meter asindicated by block 420, or it can be arranged so that it detects theseed after it is at its final seed location in the furrow, as indicatedby block 422. It can be placed on or near a seed firmer as indicated byblock 424, or it can be placed in a wide variety of other locations, asindicated by block 426. The seed can be detected using a camera, asindicated by block 428. It can be detected using another type of opticalsensor, such as the sensors discussed above, as indicated by block 430.It can be detected using a physical sensor (such as a deflectable fingersensor that deflects when the seed travels past it, as indicated byblock 432. It can be detected using RADAR or LIDAR or a wide variety ofother types of sensors as well, and this is indicated by block 434.

Event driven processing system 266 also illustratively detects (or isprovided) the ground speed 378. This is indicated by block 436 in theflow diagram of FIG. 11 .

Event driven processing system 266 then calculates the timing of when tocontrol the valves 109 to apply the material. This is indicated by block438 in the flow diagram of FIG. 11 . It can do this using the deliverysystem velocity or timing, such as by using timing delay generationsystem 366. Calculating the timing for controlling the valves in thisway is indicated by block 440 in the flow diagram of FIG. 11 . It canalso do it by using the delivery system travel distance, such as byusing travel distance generation system 368. This is indicated by block442 in the flow diagram of FIG. 11 . Calculating the control signaltiming using the time delay generation system 366 is discussed ingreater detail elsewhere herein, including with respect to FIG. 12 .Calculating the control signal timing using travel distance generationsystem 368 is discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, includingwith respect to FIG. 13 .

The timing of the valve actuation control signals can be calculatedbased upon the properties of the liquid being applied (such as thedesired exit velocity, viscosity, etc.). This is indicated by block 444.It can be calculated based on the valve/actuator responsiveness asindicated by block 446. It can be based upon the desired materialplacement relative to the final seed location. This is indicated byblock 448. It can be calculated based upon the ground speed of row unit106, as indicated by block 450. It can be calculated based on the valvelocation (such as the horizontal or vertical location of the valve 109on row unit 106). This is indicated by block 452 in the flow diagram ofFIG. 11 .

At block 452, for instance, the valve may have a camera located on it sothat the seed can be sensed in close proximity to the valve. The cameramay be on a seed firmer so that it detects the final location of theseed in the furrow. In any of these cases, the valve location on rowunit 106 is known, at least relative to other items so that it can beactuated at the appropriate or desired time.

The timing can be calculated in a wide variety of other ways as well,and based on a wide variety of other criteria. This is indicated byblock 454.

Once the timing is calculated (of when and for what duration to controlthe valves to apply the material), at block 438, this is provided tovalve control signal generator 258 (shown in FIG. 8 ), which generatesvalve control signals to control the valves/actuators based upon thecalculated timing. This is indicated by block 456 in the flow diagram ofFIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of the operation ofevent driven processing system 266, where it uses travel distancegeneration system 368 to calculate the timing for valve actuation. Thus,in the example described with respect to FIG. 12 , time stamp generator364 receives seed sensor signal 304 and generates a time stamp whensignal 304 indicates that a seed has been detected. This is indicated byblock 458 in the flow diagram of FIG. 12 .

Meter/delivery system speed integrator 386 then integrates the meterand/or delivery system acceleration and speed (depending upon where theseed was sensed) to identify a distance that the seed has traveled,since it was sensed. This is indicated by block 460. For instance, wherethe seed is sensed in meter 124, it will integrate over the meteracceleration and speed. This is indicated by block 462. Where it issensed in the endless member (or delivery system 166) it will integratethe endless member acceleration and speed, as indicated by block 464. Itwill be noted that if the seed is detected in the meter, the integrationwill be performed both over the meter acceleration and speed (until theseed exits meter 124 into delivery system 166) and then over the endlessmember or delivery system acceleration and speed, as indicated by block464. Where the delivery system is a seed tube, then it will beintegrated (or double integrated) over the gravity drop speed oracceleration of the seed, as indicated by block 466 (of course, otherfactors may be taken into account, such as friction and forward travelspeed of the row unit). The integration can be performed in other waysas well, and this is indicated by block 468.

For instance, once the seed exits the seed delivery system 166, theintegration may also be performed over the speed or acceleration of theseed, as it drops into furrow 162. This will account for the change inseed position after it leaves the delivery system. In a scenario wherethe seed is ejected from delivery system 166 with a velocity that isequal in magnitude but opposite in direction relative to the forwardtravel direction of row unit 106, then it will fall substantially onlyunder the influence of gravity, after it leaves delivery system 166.

Final seed location estimator 388 then detects when the distancetraveled meets the distance from where the seed was sensed, to the finalseed location in the furrow 162. This is indicated by block 470. Thiscan be based upon the machine dimensions (such as the size of the meter,delivery system, etc.). This is indicated by block 472. It can be basedon other items as well, and this is indicated by block 474.

Event driven processing system 266 then calculates the timing of when toactuate the valves to apply the material based upon the final seedlocation. This is indicated by block 476 in the flow diagram of FIG. 12. Valve/nozzle time offset generator 370 illustratively generates a timeoffset that corresponds to the location of the valve on row unit 106.For instance, if it is located well behind the seed delivery system,then the time delay may be longer. If it is located closely proximatethe seed delivery system, then the time delay may be shorter.Calculating a time delay based on valve position is indicated by block478 in the flow diagram of FIG. 12 .

Valve/nozzle time offset generator 370 can also illustratively generatean offset value based upon the properties of the material being applied(such as its exit velocity, viscosity, etc.). This is indicated by block480. It can generate a time delay based upon the valve or actuatorresponsiveness, as indicated by block 482, and it can generate a delayor offset based upon the desired placement of the material relative tothe final seed location. This is indicated by block 484. It can generatethese time offsets based upon the ground speed of row unit 106 as well.This is indicated by block 486.

Based upon the timing, and the time stamp corresponding to the seed,pulse timing generator 372 generates a timing output indicating when thevalve 109 should be actuated. This is indicated by block 488. Pulseduration generator 374 provides an output indicating how long the valveshould be actuated. This is indicated by block 490. The timing of whento actuate the valves to apply the material based on the final seedlocation can be done in a wide variety of other ways as well, and thisis indicated by block 492 in the flow diagram of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing one example of the operation of eventdriven processing system 266 in an implementation in which it uses timedelay generation system 366. It is first assumed that time stampgenerator 364 receives an input from seed sensor signal 304 indicatingthat a seed has been detected. It generates a time stamp for that event,as indicated by block 494 in the flow diagram of FIG. 13 . Time delaygeneration system 366 then generates a time delay incurred by the seedas it moves through to the meter or delivery system (depending uponwhere the seed was sensed) so that the valve actuation signals can begenerated to actuate the valves to place the material at the desiredlocation, relative to the final seed location. Calculating a time delayto the seed exit from the delivery system 166, based on themeter/delivery system speed is indicated by block 496 in the flowdiagram of FIG. 13 . Meter/delivery system delay generator 382 cancalculate the time delay based upon the speed of the meter and thedelivery system (where the seed was detected in the meter) and/or basedupon just the speed of the delivery system (where the seed was detectedin the delivery system). This is indicated by block 498. Where thedelivery system is a seed tube, the time delay for the delivery systemcan be calculated based upon how long it will take the seed to drop fromthe seed sensor to the ground, under the force of gravity (consideringthings such as friction with the seed tube, forward velocity of the rowunit, etc.). This is indicated by block 500. The time delay for themeter/delivery system can be calculated in other ways as well, and thisis indicated by block 502.

Time delay generation system 366 also calculates the time delay thatwill be incurred by the seed as it moves from the exit of the seeddelivery system 166 to its final location in the furrow 162. This delay,along with the delay attributable to the meter/delivery system, will bethe total time delay. This is indicated by block 504 in the flow diagramof FIG. 13 . The time delay incurred from the exit of the deliverysystem 166 to the final seed location can be based upon that distance,as indicated by block 506. It can also be based on an expected seedroll, where the seed is expected to roll before it settles to its finallocation. This is indicated by block 508. The time delay can becalculated in other ways as well, such as based on the velocity at whichthe seed is ejected from the delivery system 166, and this is indicatedby block 510.

Valve/nozzle time offset generator 370 then calculates a time offsetbetween the time when the seed will be in its final location and whenthe valve/nozzle 109 should be actuated. This is indicated by block 512in the flow diagram of FIG. 13 . This can be based upon the valvelocation on row unit 106, as indicated by block 514. It can be basedupon the valve/nozzle responsiveness as indicated by block 516 and basedon the fluid or material properties of the material being applied, asindicated by block 518. It can be based upon the target placement of thematerial relative to the final seed location, as indicated by block 520.It can be based on the ground speed of row unit 106, as indicated byblock 522, and it can be based on a wide variety of other information aswell, as indicated by block 524.

Pulse timing generator 372 and pulse duration generator 374 thenidentify a time when the valve is to be actuated, based upon the totaltime delay and the time offset discussed above. This is indicated byblock 526. For instance, pulse timing generator 372 generates an outputindicative of when the valve/actuator control signal is to be applied tothe valve to open it, based upon the time stamp, the total time delay,and the time offset, as discussed above. This is indicated by block 528.Pulse duration generator 374 generates an output indicative of how longthe valve should be on/open. This is indicated by block 530. If theapplication rate is to vary over the pulse duration, then the valveposition can be controlled as well, as indicated by block 531. The timewhen the valve should be actuated, and the duration and position, can beidentified in other ways as well, and this is indicated by block 532.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing one example of the frequency drivenprocessing system 268 (briefly discussed above with respect to FIG. 8 )in more detail. The present discussion proceeds with respect togenerating an a priori seed pattern and then applying material based onthat pattern. However, the opposite can be done as well. The materialcan be applied first, to obtain an a priori material pattern. The seedscan then be planted, relative to the material, based on the a priorimaterial pattern. For instance, where the material is fertilizer, thefertilizer can be applied first, and the seeds can be planted later,based on the pattern used to apply the fertilizer. Also, while thepresent discussion proceeds with respect to generating the a priori seedpattern, it could instead be a plant pattern where the material isapplied relative to the location of plant, instead of seeds.

FIG. 14 shows that system 268 can illustratively receive a variety ofinputs, some of which are the same as those discussed above, and aresimilarly numbered. System 268 also illustratively receives a plantingstart indicator 534 that can be generated from planting start signalgenerator 316. Some examples of this are discussed elsewhere herein. Itcan receive a verification trigger 536 generated from verificationtrigger generator 318. It can also receive verification sensor inputs538 that are generated by verification sensors 320. It can receive awide variety of other information 540 as well.

In the example shown in FIG. 14 , frequency driven processing system 268illustratively includes seed pattern identification system 542, plantingoperation start detector 544, time to actuation calculator logic 546,seed pattern verification system 548, and it can include other items550. Seed pattern verification system 548, itself, illustrativelyincludes verification trigger detector 552, actual pattern detectionsystem 554, pattern correction value identifier 556, seed patterncorrection logic 558, and it can include other items 560.

Seed pattern identification system 542 generates an a priori seedpattern that identifies, once the seeding operation begins, where seedswill eventually be placed. Planting operation start detector 544 detectswhen the planting operation begins based on the planting start indicator534, and time to actuation calculator logic 546 calculates timing forwhen the valves 109 should be actuated to apply the material, based uponthe seed locations in the a priori seed pattern, based upon the currentposition of row unit 106, and based upon its ground speed. Thus,frequency driven processing system 268 can apply the material before theseeds are placed in furrow 162, or after they are placed there, orsimultaneously with seed placement. This is because the a priori seedpattern identifies how often seeds will be planted, once row unit 106begins the operation. This, along with the system information thatdefines where the valve is on the row unit 106 relative to the differentparts of the row unit 106, and the ground speed information indicatinghow quickly the row unit 106 is traveling, can be used to actuate thevalves in order to apply the material at desired locations, relative tothe seed positions.

It may be, however, that the a priori seed pattern is slightlyinaccurate, or becomes less accurate over time. Thus, seed patternverification system 548 can be used to verify and correct the a prioriseed pattern. Verification trigger detector 552 detects when averification trigger is present, indicating that a verificationoperation should be performed. The a priori seed pattern can be verifiedat certain time intervals, at intervals of distance traveled by row unit106, at intervals of a number of seeds that have been planted (or shouldhave been planted), at intervals corresponding to material applicationrate, or the trigger can be a wide variety of other items.

Again, while the present description proceeds with respect to correctingthe a priori seed pattern, this is just one example. When an a priorifertilizer pattern is generated, it can be corrected based on averification input verifying that the pattern is correct, such as amoisture sensor input that senses increased moisture due to liquidfertilizer, a dye sensor (such as an optical or other sensor) atemperature sensor, etc. These sensor inputs indicate the actualpresence of liquid fertilizer and can thus be used to correct the apriori fertilizer pattern.

Once triggered, actual pattern detection system 554 detects the actualseed pattern. For instance, system 554 can be event driven processingsystem 266 that detects the actual seed pattern based upon an actualevent, such as a seed detection. The actual pattern can be detected in awide variety of other ways as well, and using the event driven approachdiscussed above is only one example.

Pattern correction value identifier 556 can compare the actual seedpattern to the a priori seed pattern that is being used by frequencydriven processing system 268 in order to apply the material. It canidentify an error value that indicates how the a priori seed pattern maybe inaccurate, based upon the actual seed pattern. For instance, for awide variety of different reasons, it may be that the a priori seedpattern has shifted timing of the material application so it is adistance, e.g., several inches, from where it is actually desired.Detecting the actual seed pattern and calculating a correction value canbe performed by pattern correction value identifier 556.

The correction value is illustratively provided to seed patterncorrection logic 558, which performs a correction on the a priori seedpattern to generate a corrected a priori seed pattern. The corrected apriori seed pattern can then be used by frequency driven processingsystem 268 in applying the material, in the future. It will be notedthat the verification process can be repeated and the corrected a prioriseed pattern can, itself, be corrected should it become inaccurate.

FIGS. 15A and 15B (collectively referred to herein as FIG. 15 ) show aflow diagram illustrating one example of the operation of frequencydriven processing system 268 in more detail. It is first assumed thatrow unit 106 is configured for planting. This is indicated by block 562in the flow diagram of FIG. 15 . It will illustratively have obtained orbe configured to sense, system information 280. It will also beconfigured to obtain or sense planting information 284, materialinformation 282, and it can be configured in a wide variety of otherways as well, as indicated 564.

An a priori seed pattern is then obtained. This is indicated by block566. It can be downloaded from a remote site (in an example in which itwas previously generated and stored). This is indicated by block 567.Seed pattern identification system 542 can calculate an a priori seedpattern. This can be done using a pattern model where inputs includevalues for the different systems, planting and material variables, alongwith a priori information, and other information. When that informationis applied to the model, the model may generate a seed pattern that canbe used by frequency driven processing system 268. Generating thepattern using a pattern model is indicated by block 568. Seed patternidentification system 542 can generate the seed pattern dynamicallyusing a dynamic pattern calculation mechanism that considers thevariable values. This is indicated by block 570. The seed pattern can becalculated in other ways as well, and this is indicated by block 578.

The a priori seed pattern will identify such things as seed placementtiming, the offsets between when a seed is placed and when the variousactuator signals should be applied to valves 109, among other things.Thus, once the planting operation has started, the a priori seed patterncan be used to generate actuator control signals to control theactuators to apply the material where desired, relative to the seedpositions, based on the timing indicated in the a priori seed pattern.

At some point, the planting operation will begin, and this can bedetected by planting operation start detector 544. Detecting the startof the planting operation is indicated by block 580. This can be done ina wide variety of different ways. For instance, a seed sensor cangenerate a signal indicating the presence of a seed in the deliverysystem. This may indicate that the planting operation has begun. This isindicated by block 582. It may be that operator 92 actuates an operatorinput mechanism in the operating compartment of the towing vehicle tostart the planting operation. This actuation may be detected asindicated by block 584. It may be that movement of row unit 106, or thedelivery system or seed meter may be detected as the beginning of theplanting operation. This is indicated by block 586. The start of theplanting operation can be detected in a wide variety of other ways aswell, and this is indicated by block 588.

Time to actuation calculator logic 546 then calculates the time when thevalves 109 are to be controlled to apply the material, relative to theseed placement timing identified in the a priori seed pattern. This isindicated by block 590 in the flow diagram of FIG. 15 . It may be thatthe material is to be placed before the seed is planted. This can bedone because the timing for the seed to arrive at its final location isalready known, in the a priori seed pattern. Placing the material priorto placing the seed is indicated by block 592. The material may beplaced after the seed is placed, again based upon the estimated seedplacement timing in the a priori seed pattern. This is indicated byblock 594. The timing can be generated based upon the detected groundspeed, valve placement and/or any of the other system information,material information, planting information or sensor value inputs. Thisis indicated by block 596. The timing can be calculated in a widevariety of other ways as well, and this is indicated by block 598.

The timing is then provided to valve control signal generator 258 (shownin FIG. 8 ), which generates the valve control signals and applies themto valves 109 according to the calculated timing. This is indicated byblock 600 in the flow diagram of FIG. 15 .

In some implementations, it may be that the a priori seed pattern is tooccasionally be verified and/or corrected. This is indicated by block602. If not, processing proceeds at block where the operation continuesuntil the planting operation is complete.

However, if, at block 602, it is determined that the a priori seedpattern is to be verified and/or corrected, then at some pointverification trigger detector 552 detects a verification triggerindicating that a verification and/or correction operation is to beperformed. This is indicated by block 606 in the flow diagram of FIG. 15. The trigger can be a time-based trigger, as indicated by block 608. Itcan be distance-based trigger as indicated by block 610. It can be anumber of seeds-based trigger as indicated by block 612, or the triggercan be any of a wide variety of other triggers, as indicated by block614.

Actual pattern detection system 554 illustratively detects the actualseed pattern to identify whether the material is being applied, asdesired. If the actual seed pattern is shifted from the a priori seedpattern, or is different in another way, then it is likely that thematerial is not being applied, as desired. Detecting the actual seedpattern is indicated by block 616 in the flow diagram of FIG. 15 .

There are a wide variety of different ways to detect whether thematerial is being applied, as desired. These can be the same as how thematerial is sensed in a scenario in which an a priori fertilizer patternis generated instead of an a priori seed pattern. For instance, it maybe that the material has dye added to it and the dye can be easilysensed by an optical sensor, such as a camera, which may also beequipped to detect the seed as well. In that case, actual patterndetection system 554 can detect whether the dyed material is beingapplied at the desired placement, relative to the seed location. Inanother example, a camera can be used, in conjunction with a positiondetector, to detect actual seed location. Detecting the actual seedlocation using dye sensing is indicated by block 618 and detecting itwith a camera is indicated by block 620.

In another example, the material being applied can be sensed indifferent ways. Where it is a liquid material, a moisture sensor can beused to detect where the material is applied. The moisture sensor mayindicate an elevated moisture level in areas where the liquid materialhas just been applied, over the areas where it has not been applied.Detecting the actual pattern using a moisture sensor is indicated byblock 622.

The actual pattern can also be detected using a temperature sensor. Forinstance, where the material being applied is warmer or cooler than theground, a temperature sensor can be used to sense that temperaturedifference to provide an indication of where the material is beingapplied. Sensing the pattern using a temperature sensor is indicated byblock 624.

As discussed herein, the event driven processing system 266, whichsenses the seed position based upon an actual event (such as an outputfrom the seed sensor) can also be used to detect or verify the a prioriseed pattern. This is indicated by block 626. The actual seed patterncan be detected in a wide variety of other ways as well, and this isindicated by block 628.

Based upon the actual pattern detected by system 554, pattern correctionvalue identifier 556 identifies any pattern correction values to the apriori seed pattern. This is indicated by block 630. By way of example,the correction values may be distance values which indicate a differencein geographic position, or relative position, of the seed location inthe a priori seed pattern versus the actual seed location. Thecorrection values may be timing values, which correct the timing of thevalve/actuator control signals. For instance, it may be that the apriori pattern has the valve/actuator signals being triggered toofrequently, or not frequently enough. Thus, the correction values may betiming values.

Once the correction values are identified, seed pattern correction logic558 illustratively corrects the calculated, a priori seed pattern, basedupon the correction values. This is indicated by block 632. In doing so,it can recalculate the entire a priori seed pattern using the correctionvalues. This is indicated by block 634. It can simply apply thecorrection values to the already calculated a priori seed pattern. Thisis indicated by block 636. It can correct the a priori seed pattern inother ways as well, and this is indicated by block 638.

Until the planting operation is complete, operation reverts to block 590where the system continues to identify the timing for generating thevalve/control signals to actuate the valve/actuators 109 using the apriori seed pattern or corrected pattern. This is indicated by block604.

The present discussion has mentioned processors and servers. In oneexample, the processors and servers include computer processors withassociated memory and timing circuitry, not separately shown. They arefunctional parts of the systems or devices to which they belong and areactivated by, and facilitate the functionality of the other componentsor items in those systems.

Also, a number of user interface displays have been discussed. They cantake a wide variety of different forms and can have a wide variety ofdifferent user actuatable input mechanisms disposed thereon. Forinstance, the user actuatable input mechanisms can be text boxes, checkboxes, icons, links, drop-down menus, search boxes, etc. They can alsobe actuated in a wide variety of different ways. For instance, they canbe actuated using a point and click device (such as a track ball ormouse). They can be actuated using hardware buttons, switches, ajoystick or keyboard, thumb switches or thumb pads, etc. They can alsobe actuated using a virtual keyboard or other virtual actuators. Inaddition, where the screen on which they are displayed is a touchsensitive screen, they can be actuated using touch gestures. Also, wherethe device that displays them has speech recognition components, theycan be actuated using speech commands.

A number of data stores have also been discussed. It will be noted theycan each be broken into multiple data stores. All can be local to thesystems accessing them, all can be remote, or some can be local whileothers are remote. All of these configurations are contemplated herein.

Also, the figures show a number of blocks with functionality ascribed toeach block. It will be noted that fewer blocks can be used so thefunctionality is performed by fewer components. Also, more blocks can beused with the functionality distributed among more components.

Further, as discussed elsewhere herein, the present discussion hasproceeded primarily with respect to fertilizer or other materialapplication being controlled based on a priori seed location or seedpattern. However, this is just one example. In another example, seedlocation can be controlled based on a priori fertilizer (or othermaterial) location or pattern. Similarly, instead an a priori or seedlocation, an a priori plant location can be used as well.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the architecture, shown in FIG. 1 , exceptthat it communicates with elements in a remote server architecture 6404.In an example, remote server architecture 640 can provide computation,software, data access, and storage services that do not require end-userknowledge of the physical location or configuration of the system thatdelivers the services. In various embodiments, remote servers candeliver the services over a wide area network, such as the internet,using appropriate protocols. For instance, remote servers can deliverapplications over a wide area network and they can be accessed through aweb browser or any other computing component. Software or componentsshown in FIG. 8 as well as the corresponding data, can be stored onservers at a remote location. The computing resources in a remote serverenvironment can be consolidated at a remote data center location or theycan be dispersed. Remote server infrastructures can deliver servicesthrough shared data centers, even though they appear as a single pointof access for the user. Thus, the components and functions describedherein can be provided from a remote server at a remote location using aremote server architecture. Alternatively, they can be provided from aconventional server, or they can be installed on client devicesdirectly, or in other ways.

In the example shown in FIG. 16 , some items are similar to those shownin FIGS. and 8 and they are similarly numbered. FIG. 16 specificallyshows that frequency driven processing system 268 and data store 254 canbe located at a remote server location 642. Therefore, system 113accesses those systems through remote server location 642.

FIG. 16 also depicts another example of a remote server architecture.FIG. 16 shows that it is also contemplated that some elements of FIGS. 1and 8 can be disposed at remote server location 642 while others arenot. By way of example, data store 254 can be disposed at a locationseparate from location 642, and accessed through the remote server atlocation 642. Regardless of where they are located, they can be accesseddirectly by system 113, through a network (either a wide area network ora local area network), they can be hosted at a remote site by a service,or they can be provided as a service, or accessed by a connectionservice that resides in a remote location. Also, the data can be storedin substantially any location and intermittently accessed by, orforwarded to, interested parties. For instance, physical carriers can beused instead of, or in addition to, electromagnetic wave carriers. Insuch an example, where cell coverage is poor or nonexistent, anothermobile machine (such as a fuel truck) can have an automated informationcollection system. As the planter comes close to the fuel truck forfueling, the system automatically collects the information from theplanter using any type of ad-hoc wireless connection. The collectedinformation can then be forwarded to the main network as the fuel truckreaches a location where there is cellular coverage (or other wirelesscoverage). For instance, the fuel truck may enter a covered locationwhen traveling to fuel other machines or when at a main fuel storagelocation. All of these architectures are contemplated herein. Further,the information can be stored on the planter until the planter enters acovered location. The planter, itself, can then send the information tothe main network.

It will also be noted that the elements of FIGS. 1 and 8 , or portionsof them, can be disposed on a wide variety of different devices. Some ofthose devices include servers, desktop computers, laptop computers,tablet computers, or other mobile devices, such as palm top computers,cell phones, smart phones, multimedia players, personal digitalassistants, etc.

FIG. 17 is a simplified block diagram of one illustrative example of ahandheld or mobile computing device that can be used as a user's orclient's hand held device 16, in which the present system (or parts ofit) can be deployed. For instance, a mobile device can be deployed inthe operator compartment of towing vehicle 94 for use in generating,processing, or displaying the application data. FIGS. 18-19 are examplesof handheld or mobile devices.

FIG. 17 provides a general block diagram of the components of a clientdevice 16 that can run some components shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , thatinteracts with them, or both. In the device 16, a communications link 13is provided that allows the handheld device to communicate with othercomputing devices and in some examples provides a channel for receivinginformation automatically, such as by scanning. Examples ofcommunications link 13 include allowing communication though one or morecommunication protocols, such as wireless services used to providecellular access to a network, as well as protocols that provide localwireless connections to networks.

In other examples, applications can be received on a removable SecureDigital (SD) card that is connected to an interface 15. Interface 15 andcommunication links 13 communicate with a processor 17 (which can alsoembody processors from previous FIGS.) along a bus 19 that is alsoconnected to memory 21 and input/output (I/O) components 23, as well asclock 25 and location system 27.

I/O components 23, in one example, are provided to facilitate input andoutput operations. I/O components 23 for various examples of the device16 can include input components such as buttons, touch sensors, opticalsensors, microphones, touch screens, proximity sensors, accelerometers,orientation sensors and output components such as a display device, aspeaker, and or a printer port. Other I/O components 23 can be used aswell.

Clock 25 illustratively comprises a real time clock component thatoutputs a time and date. It can also, illustratively, provide timingfunctions for processor 17.

Location system 27 illustratively includes a component that outputs acurrent geographical location of device 16. This can include, forinstance, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a LORAN system, adead reckoning system, a cellular triangulation system, or otherpositioning system. It can also include, for example, mapping softwareor navigation software that generates desired maps, navigation routesand other geographic functions.

Memory 21 stores operating system 29, network settings 31, applications33, application configuration settings 35, data store 37, communicationdrivers 39, and communication configuration settings 41. Memory 21 caninclude all types of tangible volatile and non-volatilecomputer-readable memory devices. It can also include computer storagemedia (described below). Memory 21 stores computer readable instructionsthat, when executed by processor 17, cause the processor to performcomputer-implemented steps or functions according to the instructions.Processor 17 can be activated by other components to facilitate theirfunctionality as well.

FIG. 18 shows one example in which device 16 (from FIG. 17 ) is a tabletcomputer 644. In FIG. 18 , computer 644 is shown with user interfacedisplay screen 646. Screen 646 can be a touch screen or a pen-enabledinterface that receives inputs from a pen or stylus. It can also use anon-screen virtual keyboard. Of course, it might also be attached to akeyboard or other user input device through a suitable attachmentmechanism, such as a wireless link or USB port, for instance. Computer644 can also illustratively receive voice inputs as well.

FIG. 19 shows that the device can be a smart phone 71. Smart phone 71has a touch sensitive display 73 that displays icons or tiles or otheruser input mechanisms 75. Mechanisms 75 can be used by a user to runapplications, make calls, perform data transfer operations, etc. Ingeneral, smart phone 71 is built on a mobile operating system and offersmore advanced computing capability and connectivity than a featurephone.

Note that other forms of the devices 16 are possible.

FIG. 20 is one example of a computing environment in which elements ofFIGS. 1 and 8 , or parts of it, (for example) can be deployed. Withreference to FIG. 20 , an example system for implementing someembodiments includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 810. Components of computer 810 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 820 (which can comprise processors fromprevious Figures), a system memory 830, and a system bus 821 thatcouples various system components including the system memory to theprocessing unit 820. The system bus 821 may be any of several types ofbus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Memoryand programs described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 8 can be deployed incorresponding portions of FIG. 20 .

Computer 810 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 810 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media is different from, anddoes not include, a modulated data signal or carrier wave. It includeshardware storage media including both volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium, which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by computer 810. Communication media may embody computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data ina transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal.

The system memory 830 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 831and random access memory (RAM) 832. A basic input/output system 833(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 810, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 831. RAM 832 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 820. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 20 illustrates operating system 834, applicationprograms 835, other program modules 836, and program data 837.

The computer 810 may also include other removable/non-removablevolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 20 illustrates a hard disk drive 841 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, an optical disk drive 855,and nonvolatile optical disk 856. The hard disk drive 841 is typicallyconnected to the system bus 821 through a non-removable memory interfacesuch as interface 840, and optical disk drive 855 are typicallyconnected to the system bus 821 by a removable memory interface, such asinterface 850.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (e.g., ASICs),Application-specific Standard Products (e.g., ASSPs), System-on-a-chipsystems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 20 , provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 810. In FIG. 20 , for example, hard disk drive 841 isillustrated as storing operating system 844, application programs 845,other program modules 846, and program data 847. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from operating system834, application programs 835, other program modules 836, and programdata 837.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 810 throughinput devices such as a keyboard 862, a microphone 863, and a pointingdevice 861, such as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices(not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 820 through a user input interface 860 that is coupledto the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures. A visual display 891 or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 821 via an interface, such as a videointerface 890. In addition to the monitor, computers may also includeother peripheral output devices such as speakers 897 and printer 896,which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 895.

The computer 810 is operated in a networked environment using logicalconnections (such as a controller area network—CAN, local areanetwork—LAN, or wide area network WAN) to one or more remote computers,such as a remote computer 880.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 810 is connectedto the LAN 871 through a network interface or adapter 870. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 810 typically includes amodem 872 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN873, such as the Internet. In a networked environment, program modulesmay be stored in a remote memory storage device. FIG. 20 illustrates,for example, that remote application programs 885 can reside on remotecomputer 880.

It should also be noted that the different examples described herein canbe combined in different ways. That is, parts of one or more examplescan be combined with parts of one or more other examples. All of this iscontemplated herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A mobile agricultural planting machine comprising:a furrow opener configured to open a furrow as the mobile agriculturalplanting machine moves across a field; a seed delivery system configuredto deliver a seed to the furrow; a material application systemconfigured to apply a material to the field; and a control systemconfigured to generate a control signal to control a characteristic ofthe material as the material exits the material application system. 22.The mobile agricultural planting machine of claim 1, wherein thematerial application system includes one or more of a valve and anozzle.
 23. The mobile agricultural planting machine of claim 1, whereinthe characteristic of the material as the material exits the materialapplication system is either a trajectory of the material or a velocityof the material.
 24. The mobile agricultural planting machine of claim 3and further comprising: a pump that pumps the material, at a pressure,to the material application system; and wherein the control signalcontrols the pump to adjust the pressure at which the pump pumps thematerial.
 25. The mobile agricultural planting machine of claim 3,wherein the material application system includes a variable orificedevice and wherein the control signal controls the variable orificedevice to adjust an orifice of the variable orifice device.
 26. Themobile agricultural planting machine of claim 3, wherein the controlsystem is further configured to receive data indicative of a location inthe furrow at which the seed is or will be located and wherein thecontrol system generates the control signal based on the data indicativeof a location in the furrow at which the seed is or will be located. 27.The mobile agricultural planting machine of claim 1 and furthercomprising: a seed firmer; and wherein the device is coupled to the seedfirmer.
 28. A method for controlling the application of material appliedby a planting machine based on material viscosity: obtaining seedlocation data indicative of a location at which a seed is or will bedelivered by the planting machine; obtaining material viscosity dataindicative of a viscosity of a material to be applied by the plantingmachine at a material location relative to the seed location; andgenerating a control signal to control a device through which thematerial travels to be applied to the material location based on thematerial viscosity data and the seed location data.
 29. The method ofclaim 8, wherein obtaining material viscosity data includes sensing,with a material temperature sensor of the planting machine, atemperature of the material.
 30. The method of claim 8, whereinobtaining seed local ion data includes sensing the seed with a seedsensor of the planting machine
 31. The method of claim 8, whereinobtaining seed location data includes obtaining a predictive seedpattern indicative of predictive seed locations.
 32. The method of claim8, wherein generating the control signal to control the device comprisesgenerating the control signal to control the device to actuate.
 33. Themethod of claim 8 and further comprising generating a device actuationtiming indicator indicative of a timing for actuating the device basedon the seed location data and the material viscosity data.
 34. Themethod of claim 8, wherein generating the control signal to control thedevice comprises generating the control signal based on the deviceactuation timing indicator.
 35. A material application control system,the material application control system comprising: a frequency drivenprocessing system configured to generate a predictive seed patternindicative of predictive seed placement locations in a field relative toa reference point; a device actuation timing system configured togenerate a device actuation timing indicator indicative of a timing foractuating a device to apply a material at a material placement locationbased on a predictive seed placement location of the predictive seedpattern; and a device control signal generator configured to generate adevice actuation signal to control the device to apply the material tothe material placement location based on the device actuation timingindicator.
 36. The material application control system of claim 15,wherein the reference point comprises a location of a known plantingoperation, and wherein the material application control system furthercomprises: a planting operation start detector configured to detect whena planting machine is at the location of the known planting operationand to generate a planting operation reference signal indicative of theplanting machine being at the location of the known planting operation.37. The material application control system of claim 16, wherein thedevice actuation timing system is configured to generate the deviceactuation timing indicator based further on the planting operationreference signal.
 38. The material application control system of claim15 and further comprising: a seed pattern verification system configuredto, at least intermittently, verify that the predictive seed pattern isaccurate based on a detected actual seed pattern.
 39. The materialapplication control system of claim 18, wherein the seed patternverification system comprises: an actual seed pattern detection systemconfigured to detect the actual seed pattern; a pattern correction valueidentifier configured to identify a pattern correction value based onthe predictive seed pattern and the actual seed pattern; and a seedpattern correction logic configured to apply the pattern correctionvalue to the predictive seed pattern to generate a corrected predictiveseed pattern.
 40. The material application control system of claim 19,wherein the device actuation timing system is configured to generate anadditional device timing actuation indicator indicative of a timing foractuating the device to apply a material at an additional materialplacement location based on a predictive seed placement location of thecorrected predictive seed pattern; and wherein the device control signalgenerator is configured to generate an additional device actuationsignal to control the device to apply the material to the additionalmaterial placement location based on the additional device actuationtiming indicator.